Coming to [Day 11, Early Evening]

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 1:49 am

"I must agree with that... from all I was told, it seemed very unlikely they would take captives. Though I can understand why they would choose to keep some alive." Tani being the daughter of the former Matsu Daimyo - Tameaki being a Magistrate.

She didn't know much about Kitamaru, but she herself wasn't that important as far as social standings went.

"Perhaps they're going to force a trade of some sort."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

"Maybe. I have a feeling if they had their way, I'd just be hanging from the banner til the war was over." She sighed. "So again, thank you for that."

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

Tameaki shakes his head.

"They were trying to provoke us," he opines. "We gave them exactly what they wanted."

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 4:38 am

"Perhaps..."

Tsukimi groaned as she sat up slowly, crossing her legs and keeping her elbows on her knees for support.

"But just because it was a trap doesn't mean it wasn't right to spring it." There were some thoughts that she felt she couldn't, or rather shouldn't, voice at the moment as they needed to stay focused.

And it didn't really matter, as it was an opportunity that was now gone. "I am not a hero of renown or a person of importance - it was only natural for me to volunteer."

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

"On the contrary - if one knows a trap is set, the first thing to do is to walk into it," Tameaki replies. "By doing so, we gain the opportunity to strike at them from the inside, where they're more vulnerable."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

"I have been considering that", Kitamaru said, then looked up. "It would be difficult to hand dig enough dirt away in order to crawl out unnoticed. Ideas?"

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

Togashi Tsukimi wrote:

And it didn't really matter, as it was an opportunity that was now gone. "I am not a hero of renown or a person of importance - it was only natural for me to volunteer."

Even in the worst of situations, it seemed the Scorpion were still planning. Tani, however, was more focused on Tsukimi for now. "Is... that why you volunteered? Because you thought you could save a hero?" She frowned in disapproval.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 5:30 pm

She gave a slight shake of her head. "Not the only reason, Tani-sama. I admit I had the selfish reason of wishing for your safety because I enjoy your company." A sheepish smile from the Dragon despite their circumstances.

"But your return would mean much to many. Or at the very least, that you were no longer on that banner."

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

The statement caught her off guard. Killed the fire she might have used to chastise Tsukimi with. "Oh." Was all she managed at first.

She took a breath. "Nothing to be done about it," she reminded herself. "We are here now. What's done is done." Even if she privately wished that Tsukimi was still safely behind the walls.

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

The looming silhouettes of two samurai appear above the grating. "That one," one of them growls in a distinctly southern accent, pointing at Tsukimi. "The Dragon. Bring 'er up."

Ashigaru move the corpses weighting down the bamboo grating and push it aside. The second samurai motions to someone unseen, and a group of unarmed ashigaru come into view and hop down into the pit.

"Rest of you, stay down," the first samurai warns. "Got permission to smash yer heads like grapes if you cause a fuss."

Shosuro Kitamaru · **Joined:** Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:12 pm **Posts:** 265

Kitamaru stayed silent and watched everything. The guards, the samurai, the weather above, how many corpses were on the bamboo grate, and if all of them would be put back on properly.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:31 pm

Tsukimi looked up as she heard the approach of others. Guards perhaps? She cast a reassuring look to the others.

Whatever happened would be in the hands of the Heavens. If this was her time, she felt that her soul was ready to proceed to the next step, closer to the end of the path.

With great difficulty, she stood up to let the ashigaru lead her.

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

Tani gripped her hakama tight as Tsukimi went up. "Be safe," was all she could say to the Dragon woman.

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

The ashigaru boost Tsukimi up into the waiting arms of their fellows, then climb out of the prison. The grate is slid back into place, the bodies are replaced, and Tsukimi is marches off into the night.

The samurai remain for a little longer. "We're not insane," the first Lion finally says. "I fought alongside Matsu Zaruko. I've seen what happens when you give a Matsu too much power. The Empire..."

The second samurai places a hand on the first's shoulder. "They don't care, Hiko-san. Leave them be."

The first samurai stares down into the pit in silence for a few moments, then he nods and they both leave.

Togashi Tsukimi · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:52 pm

Hearing the remaining samurai speak, she turned her head slightly as she walked, but there was no opportunity to speak.

At least not here.

/escorted out for now

Matsu Tani · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:49 pm **Posts:** 493

Mindshred wrote:

The ashigaru boost Tsukimi up into the waiting arms of their fellows, then climb out of the prison. The grate is slid back into place, the bodies are replaced, and Tsukimi is marches off into the night.

The samurai remain for a little longer. "We're not insane," the first Lion finally says. "I fought alongside Matsu Zaruko. I've seen what happens when you give a Matsu too much power. The Empire..."

The second samurai places a hand on the first's shoulder. "They don't care, Hiko-san. Leave them be."

The first samurai stares down into the pit in silence for a few moments, then he nods and they both leave.

Tani stares up quietly at the two. Frowning at them. "It's not about giving a Matsu power," she finally whispered when they were gone. "I can't abide a murderer. Even if that murderer once called himself Emperor."

Soshi Tameaki · **Joined:** Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:36 pm **Posts:** 234

Tameaki shakes his head.

"Nothing to be done about it now," he says. "We should probably rest up before they come back for the rest of us - and they probably will, one at a time. At least we can take some comfort in the fact that they don't want us dead. Even if they planned to use us for another attempt at grand-standing and provocation, they would have done it already. So for now, all we can do is wait."

The magistrate settles back and is quickly asleep.

Coming to [Day 11, Early Evening]

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